Alabama (state song)

The song “Alabama” is the official state song for the State of Alabama. It was first written as a poem by Julia Tutwiler, a distinguished educator and humanitarian. It was first sung to an Austrian air, but in 1931, the music written by Mrs. Edna Gockel Gussen, an organist and choirmaster from Birmingham, Alabama, was adopted by the State Federation of Music Clubs and through their efforts, House Joint Resolution 74 was adopted March 9, 1931. Act no. 126, adopted the music and words as the state song of Alabama. The bill was introduced by the Hon. Tyler Goodwyn, Montgomery, and was signed into law by Governor B.M. Miller.

The inspiration for writing the poem Alabama came to Julia Tutwiler after she returned to her native state from Germany, where she had been studying new educational methods for girls and women. She recalled that in Germany patriotism was inspired by spirited songs. She thought that it would be helpful toward restoring the spirits of her own people to give them a new patriotic song, inspiring her to write "Alabama."

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